Area municipalties are lifting some restrictions that have been in place since mid-March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The restrictions that have been lifted pertain to outdoor spaces.
You can check out the list below (All playgrounds, park washrooms, outdoor gym equipment, splashpads, and pools remain closed in accordance with the extension of provincial orders until May 29):
CITY OF KITCHENER
Basketball Courts Basketball courts are available for use immediately, staff will be updating signage this week. Physical distancing remains in effect. Please use basketball facilities for an individual activity or with others from the same household.
Dog Parks Leash-free dog parks located at Kiwanis Park, McLennan Park, George Lippert Park, and The Aud have been reopened for public use.
Outdoor Furniture Provincial orders are now lifted on outdoor furniture. Residents can once again use picnic tables, benches or shelters, in parks or recreational areas provided that users maintain a physical distance of at least two metres. Outdoor furniture is not sanitized and we remind residents to wash or sanitize their hands thoroughly after use.
Sports Fields The emergency orders are now lifted for sports fields, such as baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Under normal circumstances, these spaces are typically reserved for teams who have booked the spaces, however, with group sports paused for physical distancing, the City of Kitchener will waive booking requirements for 50 of these spaces, opening them up for free public use. A full list of fields free for use is available on our website. We ask that members of the public keep off closed fields as we continue to undertake maintenance to ensure they are ready for use when we are able to reopen.
The city is hoping to reopen golf courses, skate parks and McLennan Park Mountain Trail in the coming weeks.
When using outdoor recreation facilities, members of the public are asked to:
Maintain a physical distance of at least two metres or six feet, except for members of the same household
Not gather in groups of more than five
Wear non-medical masks where possible
Practice good cough etiquette
Wash and/or sanitize their hands often
CITY OF WATERLOO
Tennis and pickle ball courts (open now)
Basketball courts (open now)
Skate park (opening soon)
Dog park (open now)
Picnic shelters and benches (open now)
Parking lot at Waterloo Park (open now)
Skate park (opening soon)
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
The following outdoor recreation spaces are open, effective immediately:
Basketball Courts Basketball courts are available for use immediately and staff will be removing closed signage this week. Physical distancing remains in effect. Please use basketball facilities for individual activity or with others from the same household.
Outdoor Furniture Provincial orders are now lifted on outdoor furniture. Residents can once again use picnic tables, benches or shelters, in parks or recreational areas provided that users maintain a physical distance of at least two metres. Outdoor furniture is not sanitized and we remind residents to wash their hands after use.
Sports Fields The emergency orders are now lifted for municipal sports fields, such as baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Under normal circumstances, these spaces are typically reserved for teams who have booked the spaces; however, with group sports paused for physical distancing, the City of Cambridge will waive booking requirements for non-fenced fields and allow public use. Fields with a surrounding fence will remain closed; all unfenced fields will be open for use. We ask that members of the public to continue to keep off closed fields as we complete maintenance to ensure they are ready for use when we are able to reopen. Please note that fields open for casual use are on a reduced maintenance schedule, and have longer turf than usual.
The City has announced the following timelines in re-opening the following facilities:
Skateparks City staff will ensure that skate parks are open within the next two weeks to ensure proper inspection and maintenance are performed prior to re-opening. Skatepark equipment is not sanitized and we remind users to wash and clean their hands after use. Users are reminded of the importance of remaining physically distant during their use of the park.
Dog Parks The leash-free dog park located at Maple Grove Rd will open tomorrow (May 21). Dog park gates and amenities are not sanitized, and we remind users to wash and clean their hands after use.
Riverside Bike Park The Riverside Bike Park will remain closed until seasonal repairs and renovations are complete; an opening time will be announced at a later date.
Tennis, Pickleball & Volleyball Courts City staff are working on the necessary seasonal maintenance and set up required to reopen tennis and outdoor pickleball courts across the City. In order to open tennis courts as quickly as possible, the city is prioritizing the various courts and staggering their opening. Signage will be posted to the courts as they re-open for public use. All courts are expected to be reopened within the next two weeks. Riverside Beach Volleyball will remain closed until further notice.
Last week, the City, and area municipalities, announced that residents can use municipal parks and open spaces for more than walk-though access.
This includes:
Playing catch, throwing a Frisbee, kicking a ball, flying a kite with members of your household
Park visitors can bring their chairs or blankets for sitting
Individual activity including personal fitness exercises or yoga practice (not a group class)
The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
